While Moreland Zebras narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight last season, 2015 star James Papadimitriou believes the club can do it all again but this time go one step further and reach their ultimate goal of promotion.
Moreland finished second behind Bulleen Lions in the NPL 1 West before losing to Melbourne Victory in the second-placed playoff.
The 21-year-old heads into his sixth season in the black and white, and is very happy with the club and is eager for the season to begin.
“It is a great family orientated club and it has a great support crew on and off the pitch,” Papadimitriou said.
“The club has a professional attitude and they always have the best interests of the players in mind.
“Moreland also encourages and provides young players with opportunities to develop.”
Papadimitriou began his junior career at Heidelberg United and Brunswick City before making the switch to Altona East Phoenix, where he made his senior debut at the tender age of 15.
He then moved to Northcote City but could not cement a position in the senior squad.
Papadimitriou also had a short stint at Italian powerhouse Fiorentina in 2011, but returned soon after.
In that year he signed for the Whittlesea Zebras as they were promoted to the Victorian Premier League, but they returned back to State League 1 the following year.
Papadimitriou was awarded for his form with a Melbourne Heart youth contract, but after six months returned back to the rebranded Moreland Zebras.
Season 2015 was without a doubt Papadimitriou’s best to date. He netted 18 goals in the NPL1 and took out the club’s prestigious Mirabella Best and Fairest award, along the way collecting the Golden Boot, Coaches’ Player, and Players’ Player awards respectively.
Papadimitriou was pleased to be recognised for his efforts which led to big offers from other clubs, though he still felt a job had to be done with the Zebras.
“It was great to be recognised by other NPL clubs, however I felt that we still had some unfinished business. So the decision was easy to stay” he said.
Papadimitriou stuck by the Zebras in what he hopes to be another successful season for him and his club.
“As an individual my aim is to improve on last years form, to continue scoring and providing opportunities for others to score.” the 21-year-old said.
The Zebras have re-attained the services of numerous important members of the 2015 squad, headlined by James Kelly and Papadimitriou, and have also added plenty of experience and quality including former Heidelberg man and Slovenian youth international Nejc Kolman.
A big loss to the Zebras was Papadimitriou’s partner in crime Danny Charalambous, who signed for NPL champions Bentleigh Greens.
“The club has recruited well over the summer to fill the void left by Danny and other outgoing players,” Papadimitriou said.
Moreland has also secured the signatures of Vani Shamoon from Goulburn Valley Suns and Tasmanian Liam Scott.
The signings have added great depth to the squad, according to Papadimitriou.
“Having a strong squad ensures that everyone is constantly working hard to keep their starting XI position,” he says.
The Zebras have had a solid pre-season which started back in November and are now just under three weeks away from their first game against Ballarat Red Devils.
Both head coach Danny Gnjidic and Papadimitriou were pleased with how pre-season was coming along.
“It has been great to see the focus and hard work everyone is putting into training which has reflected on our pre season results,” Papadimitriou said.
The Zebras defeated Northcote and Murray United, though lost against Richmond and Port Melbourne in their friendly fixtures.
Moreland have three remaining pre-season games against Kingston City, Hobart Zebras and Preston Lions before the NPL2 West season kicks off.
The clubs kicks off its season on Saturday February 20 against Ballarat away at Morshead Park.
Feature Image: Mark Avellino